Bid to build 40 homes in Whitchurch gets the go-ahead

Plans for 40 houses were approved by Shropshire Council's north planning committee during a heated meeting at the Shirehall yesterday.

The development of the houses off Wrexham Road was approved despite local opposition.

Concerns were raised by residents about an increase in traffic, too much housing in the town, and that there are no jobs in the town and that there will not be places in schools or doctors for the extra residents.

Applicant J Ross Developments Ltd said the scheme will help the council meet its current shortfall of providing land for housing across the county.

The proposal includes creating a mix of homes, including four which would be affordable.

Nearby resident Mike Nimmo said the traffic situation was so bad on Wrexham Road that the added traffic would cause danger to pedestrians and motorists in the area.

Councillor Gerald Dakin said: "I think this is ridiculous. The visibility on the Wrexham Road is so poor. This development needs a proper re-think."

Councillor Pauline Dee said: "I think Wrexham Road is a dangerous road and I am not comfortable with this."

However, despite objections the planning committee approved the development because it did not have strong enough grounds to object.

At the same meeting councillors also said they were minded to reject an application to build 31 homes, also on Wrexham Road.

The application had been strongly objected to because of the excess traffic and new roads which would be created and make an already hazardous road even more dangerous, despite the highways officer not having any objections.

The applicant Leith Planning Investments Ltd has said it would give funding to improve the visibility for access for the site on to Wrexham Road.

But Councillor Peggy Mullock, the local member for Whitchurch, said she could not see anyway the road could be improved and that the majority of the community were against the application.

Councillor Gerald Dakin said: "This is a nice spot and has everything going for it except for the road system. Wrexham Road is unsatisfactory and over crowded."

Councillor David Minnery said he thought the development was too dense and out of keeping with the area.

Councillors said they needed evidence of what improvements could be made to Wrexham Road before they could accept and the application will be put back to planning committee at a future date.

A plan to build 25 homes on the outskirts of Wem was also booted out by councillors because they said it would be unsuitable.

Members of Wem Town Council said building the homes on the B5063 Shawbury Road would not be beneficial for the area, and councillors agreed because it is too far away from the town.